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MLB best: Top 5 Bullpens in the Game on Paper Right Now

By Jake Mastroianni

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: A view of the Oakland Athletics bullpen during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 2, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 8-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: A view of the Oakland Athletics bullpen during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 2, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 8-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 29: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the ninth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 29, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 3-0. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

5. Cincinnati Reds

This is the team that might come as a surprise to some, and I’ll admit I’m going out on a limb here, but I think the Reds bullpen could be one of the MLB best in 2019.

The stats don’t really support this decision as the Reds ranked 16th in bullpen ERA last year, finishing just in the bottom half of the league.

Plus, they haven’t really done much this offseason to improve their bullpen, so why would I think it could be top five?

Well, the main reason is that I believe the Reds will be a much better team in 2019, and I believe in the ability of their young arms in the bullpen.

Last year Raisel Iglesias posted a 2.38 ERA in 72 innings pitched with 80 strikeouts and 30 saves. There is a chance this year that he establishes himself as one of the best closers in all of MLB.

Michael Lorenzen is another young stud with a big arm. He had a 3.21 ERA in 2018 with 49 strikeouts in 67.1 innings.

But the arm I’m most excited about in that Reds bullpen is Amir Garrett. For whatever reason, he seemed to be pitching in every Reds game I watched last season, which wasn’t a lot.

This kid has some nasty stuff, and while he struggled in the second half, I think this could be a breakout year for him.

Overall he had a 4.29 ERA in 2018 over 63 innings with 71 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.29.

David Hernandez and Jared Hughes add some vetrean leadership to the bullpen, and they know how to get guys out late in the game.

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